Act 4:32-5:11 | RWP | e4.org | Of one heart and soul ( καρδια κα ψυχη μια ). It is not possible to make sharp distinction between heart and soul here (see ), only that there was harmony in thought and affection. But the English translation is curiously unlike the Greek original. "There was one heart and soul (nominative case, not genitive as the English has it) in the multitude ( του πληθους , subjective genitive) of those who believed." Not one of them ( ουδε εις ). More emphatic than ουδεις , "not even one." Common ( κοινα ). In the use of their property, not in the possession as Luke proceeds to explain. The word κοινος is kin to συν (together with)= ξυν (Epic) and so ξυνοσ=κοινος . See this word already in . The idea of unclean ( ) is a later development from the original notion of common to all.

‏ Acts 4:32-37

Of one heart and soul ( καρδια κα ψυχη μια ). It is not possible to make sharp distinction between heart and soul here (see Mr 12:30), only that there was harmony in thought and affection. But the English translation is curiously unlike the Greek original. "There was one heart and soul (nominative case, not genitive as the English has it) in the multitude ( του πληθους, subjective genitive) of those who believed."

Not one of them ( ουδε εις ). More emphatic than ουδεις, "not even one."

Common ( κοινα ). In the use of their property, not in the possession as Luke proceeds to explain. The word κοινος is kin to συν (together with)= ξυν (Epic) and so ξυνοσ=κοινος. See this word already in 2:44. The idea of unclean (Ac 10:15) is a later development from the original notion of common to all.

Gave their witness ( απεδιδουν το μαρτυριον ). Imperfect active of αποδιδωμ, old verb to give back, to pay back a debt (Lu 7:42), but a late omega form instead of the usual απεδιδοσαν. They kept on giving their witness with power after the answer to their prayer (verse 31).

Of the resurrection ( της αναστασεως ). It was on this issue that the Sadducees had arrested them (4:1-3).

That lacked ( ενδεης ). Literally, in need, old adjective, here only in the N.T.

Were ( υπηρχον ). Imperfect active of υπαρχω, to exist.

Sold them and brought ( πωλουντες εφερον ). Present active participle and imperfect active indicative. Selling they brought from time to time, as there was occasion by reason of need. Hence the wants were kept supplied.

Laid them ( ετιθουν ). Imperfect active again, repetition, of τιθημ, late omega form for the usual ετιθεσαν.

Distribution was made ( διεδιδετο ). Imperfect passive of διαδιδωμ, late omega form for διεδιδοτο (the stem vowel ο displaced by ε ). Impersonal use of the verb here.

According as any one had need ( καθοτ αν τις χρειαν ειχεν ). Imperfect active of εχω with καθοτ and αν with the notion of customary repetition in a comparative clause (Robertson, Grammar, p. 967).

Barnabas ( Βαρναβας ). His name was Joseph (correct text, and not Jesus) and he is mentioned as one illustration of those in verse 34 who selling brought the money. The apostles gave him the nickname Barnabas by which later he was known because of this noble deed. This fact argues that all did not actually sell, but were ready to do so if needed. Possibly Joseph had a larger estate than some others also. The meaning of the nickname is given by Luke as "son of consolation or exhortation" ( υιος παρακλησεως ). Doubtless his gifts as a preacher lay along this same line. Rackham thinks that the apostles gave him this name when he was recognized as a prophet. In Ac 11:23 the very word παρεκαλε (exhorted) is used of Barnabas up at Antioch. He is the type of preacher described by Paul in 1Co 14:3. Encouragement is the chief idea in παρακλησις though exhortation, comfort, consolation are used to render it (Ac 9:31; 13:15; 15:31). See also 16:9; 20:12. It is not necessary to think that the apostles coined the name Barnabas for Joseph which originally may have come from Βαρνεβους (Deissmann, Bible Studies, pp. 308-10), son of Nebo, or even the Hebrew Bar Nebi (son of a prophet). But, whatever the origin, the popular use is given by Luke. He was even called apostle along with Paul (Ac 14:14) in the broad sense of that word.

Having a held ( υπαρχοντος αυτω αγρου ). Genitive absolute with present active participle of υπαρχω and dative of possession.

Sold it and brought ( πωλησας ηνεγκεν ). Aorist active participle of πωλεω and second aorist active indicative of φερω because a single definite instance. So also with εθηκεν (laid), first aorist active.

‏ Acts 5:1-11

Sold ( επωλησεν ). Aorist active indicative again, for a single case.

Kept back ( ενοσφισατο ). First aorist middle indicative of νοσφιζω, old verb from νοσφ, afar, apart, and so to set apart, to separate for oneself, but only here, verse 3; Tit 2:10 in the N.T.

His wife also being privy to it ( συνειδυιης κα της γυναικος ). Genitive absolute with second perfect participle of συνοιδα, to know together with one, "his wife also knowing it together with him."

Brought a certain part ( ενεγκας μερος τ ). Aorist active participle of φερω, for a definite act. The praise of Joseph was too much for Ananias, but he was not willing to turn over all. He wanted praise for giving all and yet he took care of himself by keeping some. Thus he started the Ananias Club that gave a new meaning to his lovely name (God is gracious).

Filled ( επληρωσεν ). The very verb used of the filling by the Holy Spirit (4:31). Satan the adversary is the father of lies (Joh 8:44). He had entered into Judas (Lu 22:3; Joh 13:27) and now he has filled the heart of Ananias with a lie.

To lie to the Holy Spirit ( ψευσασθα σε το πνευμα το αγιον ). Infinitive (aorist middle) of purpose with accusative of general reference ( σε ) and the accusative of the person (object) as often in Greek writers, though here only in the N.T. with this verb. Usual dative of the person in verse 4 ( ανθρωποις, men, τω θεω, God). The Holy Spirit had been given them to guide them into truth (Joh 15:13).

Whiles it remained ( μενον ). Present active participle of mend, unsold, Peter means.

After it was sold ( πραθεν ). First aorist passive of πιπρασκω, to sell.

How is that thou hast conceived ( Τ οτ εθου ). Quid est quod. See Lu 2:49. See also Ac 5:9. Second aorist middle indicative second person singular of τιθημ. The devil filled his heart (verse 3), but all the same Ananias did it too and is wholly responsible.

Hearing ( ακουων ). Present active participle of ακουω, while hearing.

Fell down ( πεσων ). Second aorist active participle of πιπτω, fell all of a sudden while listening.

Gave up the ghost ( εξεψυξεν ). First aorist active indicative of εκψυχω, late verb in LXX and Hippocrates, to breathe out, to expire. In the N.T. only here, verse 10; 12:23. It is needless to blame Peter for the death of Ananias. He had brought the end upon himself. It was the judgment of God. Physically the nervous shock could have caused the collapse.

The young men ( ο νεωτερο ). Literally the younger men (contrast with ο πρεσβυτερο, the elder men). Same as νεανισκο in verse 10 and so no order in the young church. Perhaps these young men were acting as ushers or actual pallbearers.

Wrapped him round ( συνεστειλαν ). First aorist active indicative of συστελλω, old verb, to draw together, or contract (1Co 7:29), to roll together, to wrap with bandages, to enshroud as here. Nowhere else in the N.T. Frequent in medical writers. They may have used their own mantles. The time for burial was short in Jerusalem for sanitary reasons and to avoid ceremonial defilement.

And it was about the space of three hours after ( εγενετο δε ως ωρων τριων διαστημα ). Literally "Now there came an interval ( διαστημα, distance, space between) of about ( ως ) three hours."

When ( κα ). This use of κα after εγενετο is characteristic of Luke's style in the Gospel.

Not knowing ( μη ειδυια ). Feminine singular of second perfect active participle of οιδα. Μη usual negative of the participle in the Koine.

For so much ( τοσουτου ). Genitive of price. Perhaps Peter pointed to the pile of money at the feet of the apostles (verse 2). The use of ε in direct questions appears in Luke (Lu 13:23; 22:49) as in the LXX like the Hebrew im and in Ac 1:6; 19:2, etc.

Ye have agreed together ( συνεφωνηθη υμιν ). First aorist passive indicative of συμφωνεω (to voice together, symphony), impersonal with dative; It was agreed together by you (or for you). "Your souls were allured together respecting this deceit" (Vincent).

To tempt the Spirit of the Lord ( πειρασα το πνευμα κυριου ). Like "Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." It was close to the unpardonable sin which was attributing the manifest work of the Holy Spirit to Beelzebub.

The feet ( ο ποδες ). Graphic picture by Peter as he heard the steps of the young men at the door.

Immediately ( παραχρημα ). Hence her death was regarded as supernatural like that of Ananias.

By her husband ( προς τον ανδρα αυτης ). Face to face to her husband.

Upon the whole church ( εφ' ολην την εκκλησιαν ). Here εκκλησια for the first time in Acts of the believers in Jerusalem. Twice already in the Gospels, once of the whole body of believers or the Kingdom (Mt 16:18), the other of the local body (Mt 18:17). In Ac 7:38 it is used of the whole congregation of Israel while in 19:32 it is used of a public assembly in Ephesus. But already in Ac 8:3 it is applied to the church which Saul was persecuting in their homes when not assembled. So here the etymological meaning of "assembly" disappears for "the church" were now the scattered saints hiding in their separate homes. The whole body of believers in Jerusalem and all who heard of the fate of Ananias and Sapphira (beautiful, her name means) were in awe and dread. It was already a dangerous thing to be a follower of Christ unless one was willing to walk straight.